Jones said his children had staged a “family intervention” after his interviews. “Let me tell you, I am so grateful for my daughters because they are not afraid to stand up to their daddy,” he tweeted. “I am an imperfect human and I’m not afraid to say it. I’m sorry and I’m not afraid to say it.”

The 85-year-old Jones added that, even at his age, "‘wordvomit’ and bad-mouthing is inexcusable. When you live a public life you have a responsibility to be an example, and since I do live a public life, I wanted to make a public apology. I am sorry to anyone to whom my words offended, and I’m especially sorry to my friends who are still here with me and to those who aren’t.”

Jones said he’d made private approaches to some people to say sorry personally, and emphasized that he hadn’t had a drink in three years He said he's learned a valuable lesson. “I want you to know I hear you," he said. "I hear ALL of you. … I encourage you all to please grow with me and keep on keepin’ on. Love, an 85-year-old bowlegged man who is still learning from his mistakes.”